Month: January 2024

ABC News 22.1.2024 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-22/gaza-strip-death-toll-25000-health-ministry-israel-palestine/103373782 The Palestinian death toll from the war between Israel and Gaza has soared past 25,000, the health ministry in the Gaza Strip said on Sunday, while the Israeli government appeared far from achieving its goals of crushing the militant group and freeing more than 100 hostages. Key points:     The IDF… Continue reading Palestinian death toll in Gaza surpasses 25,000 with no end in sight to Israel-Gaza war

The Age / Reuters | Andrea Shalal | 21 January 2024 US President Joe Biden says he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about possible solutions for creation of an independent Palestinian state, suggesting one path could involve a non-militarised government. Biden’s call with Netanyahu yesterday was the first in nearly a month, the… Continue reading Biden floats idea of non-military Palestinian state with Netanyahu

ABC | Allyson Horn in Jerusalem and ABC staff in Gaza | 21 January 2024 Hiba Abu Sadeq is like many other pre-teens. The 12-year-old loves her friends, learning at school and fashion. But now she doesn’t know if her friends are dead or alive, there is no school, and she has worn the same… Continue reading Every morning, 12-year-old Hiba wakes up in Gaza. She tries to keep herself and her family alive for another day

The Australian / AFP | 20 January 2024 Madrid: Israel has broken international law with its “relentless” bombing of Gaza that has levelled neighbourhoods and killed thousands of Palestinians, a UN rights expert said on Thursday. The comments by Francesca Albanese, an Italian lawyer who is the UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, came… Continue reading ‘Relentless Bombings’ Are War Crimes, Says UN Expert

Canberra Times | Peter Greste | 20 January 2024 Israel has emerged as one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists, according to a newly released census compiled by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Each year, the committee releases a snapshot of the number of journalists behind bars as of December 1, 2023… Continue reading Israel among world’s leading jailers of journalists

Julian Hill labels Israeli prime minister’s position ‘appalling’ as he calls for financial consequences for Israeli settlers The Guardian | Paul Karp | 20 January 2024 Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration he rejects any moves to establish a Palestinian state after Israel’s offensive in Gaza has been labelled “appalling” and a step toward “apartheid” by influential Labor… Continue reading Labor MP condemns Netanyahu’s rejection of Palestinian state as a step toward apartheid

Prospect of close combat in overpopulated area ‘deeply concerning’, say aid officials, while Gaza’s largest functioning hospital may have to close The Guardian | Jason Burke | 20 January 2024 As Israeli forces have moved further into southern Gaza, airstrikes and close-combat fighting are approaching areas crowded with more than a million people seeking refuge… Continue reading Alarm as Israeli forces move closer to crowded areas in southern Gaza

The Guardian | Daniel Hurst | 20 January 2024 There was a moment at the beginning of Penny Wong’s trip to the Middle East this week when the foreign affairs minister seemed to admit Australia’s limited influence. “Look, I don’t think Australia can come to the region demanding specific assurances,” Wong said when asked to… Continue reading As Gaza crisis worsens, the Albanese government is on the defensive

By Jonathan Kuttab When confronted with fear, danger, loss, or direct threats or even attacks, there is a natural temptation to respond with violence. For the powerful, violence serves to guarantee their power and privileges. They assert the legitimacy of violence in order to safeguard their status and monopoly on power, claiming that any who… Continue reading The Appeal of Violence